Featherbed Potato Rolls

  • 24

Ingredients

  • 1 medium baking potato
  • One 1/4 ounce package active dry yeast
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1-1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) plus 2 Tbsp. butter or margarine, softened
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Preparation

Step 1

Place the potato in a small saucepan with water to cover. Cook until tender. Remove the potato, cool slightly, and peel. Reserve 3/4 cup of the potato water.
Dissolve the yeast in 1/4 cup warm water in a bowl. Mash the potato with a fork to yield 1/2 cup.
Combine the sugar, salt and 1/4 cup of the softened butter in a bowl. Add the reserved potato water; mix well. Cool to lukewarm and add the yeast mixture, the mashed potato, egg, and 2 cups of the flour; stir until smooth.
Add 2 additional cups of the flour or more as needed to make a smooth, soft dough. Turn out on a lightly floured board and knead until smooth, about 5 minutes. Turn the dough into a well-greased bowl; turn to grease the top. Cover and let rise until doubled in size, 1 to 1-1/5 hours.
Punch the dough down, divide in half and shape each half into 12 smooth balls. Arrange on a greased baking sheet. Melt the remaining 2 Tbsp. butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Brush the rolls with the melted butter. Let rise for 1 to 1-1/2 hours.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden.